ANALYTICAL EXTRACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL REMOVAL OF ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATES, NONYLPHENOL AND NONYLPHENOL MONOETHOXYLATE FROM DATED SLUDGE-ONLY LANDFILLS

Exhaustive extraction of linear (LAS) and branched (TPS) alkylbenzene sulphonates, nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) from landfilled sludge were attained by using a polar solvent (methanol) and by adding sodium hydroxide (20%, w/w) to the dry sludge. In the absence of NaOH, or if moderately polar (dichloromethane) to apolar (hexane) solvents were used, poor extraction efficiencies ( 90%) over the same time period. The remarkably different behaviour of these compounds was ascribed to the landfill operating conditions, to be anaerobic when no biodegradation was observed, and aerobic when the title compounds were removed.Exhaustive extraction of linear (LAS) and branched (TPS) alkylbenzene sulphonates, nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) from landfilled sludge were attained by using a polar solvent (methanol) and by adding sodium hydroxide (20%, w/w) to the dry sludge. In the absence of NaOH, or if moderately polar (dichloromethane) to apolar (hexane) solvents were used, poor extraction efficiencies ( 90%) over the same time period. The remarkably different behaviour of these compounds was ascribed to the landfill operating conditions, to be anaerobic when no biodegradation was observed, and aerobic when the title compounds were removed

Empowering citizens in international governance of nanotechnologies

The international dialogue on responsible governance of nanotechnologies engages a wide range of actors with conflicting as well as common interests. It is also characterised by a lack of evidence-based data on uncertain risks of in particular engineered nanomaterials. The present paper aims at deepening understanding of the collective decision making context at international level using the grounded theory approach as proposed by Glaser and Strauss in "The Discovery of Grounded Theory\u27\u27 (1967). This starts by discussing relevant concepts from different fields including sociological and political studies of international relations as well as political philosophy and ethics. This analysis of current trends in international law making is taken as starting point for exploring the role that a software decision support tool could play in multi-stakeholder global governance of nanotechnologies. These theoretical ideas are then compared with the current design of the SUN Decision Support System (SUNDS) under development in the European project on Sustainable Nanotechnologies (SUN, www.sun-fp7.eu). Through constant comparison, the ideas are also compared with requirements of different stakeholders as expressed during a user workshop. This allows for highlighting discussion points for further consideration.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe

Empowering citizens in international governance of nanotechnologies

The international dialogue on responsible governance of nanotechnologies engages a wide range of actors with conflicting as well as common interests. It is also characterised by a lack of evidence-based data on uncertain risks of in particular engineered nanomaterials. The present paper aims at deepening understanding of the collective decision making context at international level using the grounded theory approach as proposed by Glaser and Strauss in "The Discovery of Grounded Theory'' (1967). This starts by discussing relevant concepts from different fields including sociological and political studies of international relations as well as political philosophy and ethics. This analysis of current trends in international law making is taken as starting point for exploring the role that a software decision support tool could play in multi-stakeholder global governance of nanotechnologies. These theoretical ideas are then compared with the current design of the SUN Decision Support System (SUNDS) under development in the European project on Sustainable Nanotechnologies (SUN, www.sun-fp7.eu). Through constant comparison, the ideas are also compared with requirements of different stakeholders as expressed during a user workshop. This allows for highlighting discussion points for further consideration

Fasciculus rerum scholasticarum Collegii Claudiopolitani Unitariorum, 1626-1696 : 1. Journals of the years 1626-1648

We studied the effects of preconceptional exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs): mature, female C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with 67 mu g NM-400 MWCNT, and the following day co-housed with mature males, in breeding pairs. Time to delivery of the first litter, litter parameters, maternal inflammation and histopathology of lung and liver were recorded. In male offspring, locomotor activity, startle response, and daily sperm production (DSP) were assessed. In the dams, lung and liver bore evidence of MWCNT exposure when assessed 6 weeks and 4 months after exposure. A short delay in the delivery of the first litter was observed in exposed females. Litter parameters, behavior and DSP were similar in control and exposed groups. In conclusion, instillation of a single dose of MWCNT induced long lasting pathological changes in dam lung and liver. Theoretically, lung inflammation due to particle exposure could interfere with female reproductive parameters. Whether the observed lag in delivery of a first litter was in fact caused by exposure to MWCNT should be addressed in a study designed specifically to elucidate effects on the early processes involved in establishment of pregnancy. Exposure was not associated with changes in the assessed gestational or offspring parameters